“I don’t know why I’m SO nervous!” I explained, “I’ve literally stood in front of many of you hundreds of times… Do you know this will be my 5th subject I’ve taught W?” I was rambling. I do that sometimes when standing in front of a class full of students. Today was worse than normal. L interjected with what she thought was a clever pun, … Continue reading To Infinity… and Beyond!
“Is it possible to get a roommate?” I asked my coach, over two and a half years ago as I prepared to move to RVA. “They don’t really do that…” was the response I got. Apprehensively, I resigned myself to living alone, and yet, anyone who knows me knows I love being around people! And so, over the past few months, I’ve slowly been increasing … Continue reading Revolving Door
RRRRRRIIIIINNNGGGGGG. First period passed in a haze, the fog of my brain barely lifted from the cold meds I’d taken the night before. I dropped off a note and a couple cookies in our mail system for one of my students. Our third year mentoring together, today was a big day for my student P. From the UK, today was her “GSCE” math exam . … Continue reading By the Bell
Having known these students for over two years in the academic classroom, and outside the classroom in a boarding school context, I am confident they will be an asset to any community they join on the merit of their… … strong intellectual fortitude and heart for those around her: Persistent in frustration, I did not let her emotions get in the way of pressing for … Continue reading To Whom it May Concern,
I’m in a book club! How? A chance run-in with two ladies on a mission to make friends at a farmers market over an hour away from RVA. An out of sight, out of mind kind of person, I forgot about our connection until one of the ladies reached out in July with the invitation. Three ladies from RVA, two from Naivasha and about five … Continue reading “The Art of Gathering”
“Write on the paper things that you’ve heard our class called. Then, take it and throw it in the fire! We are done with that!!!!” It might sound strange, but this is how the sophomore class president and other class leaders decided we were going to start our year. I work with the class of 2026 as one of their sponsors. To “sponsor” a class … Continue reading Sponsoring
This week, the goodbyes are not mine to have. I get to say hello as students once more flood our campus in preparation for the new school year! But this year feels a little different. I know the students and I’m starting to know some parents. I’ve seen them around, interacting on various drop off and pick up days, on mid-terms, or even sitting by … Continue reading Goodbyes
To say goodbye is not an easy thing… we’ve wrapped up another school year and graduated another set of beautiful students. Grad is late here (July 12) and I’m even later getting this written, but sometimes it’s just tough to say goodbye to the kiddos you’ve spent the last couple of years pouring into, hoping something sticks among the teaching, mentoring, and discipleship that happens … Continue reading Graduates!
I just came back from an incredible trip. The purposes in going were threefold: 1-Spend some sweet time with friends as a break from the go-go-go of RVA. 2-See some stinkin’ cool places. 3-Learn. Having just finished teaching the course “Comparative Religions: Islam and the Christian Response” I was excited to witness some of the things I’ve been learning about in action. My students final … Continue reading Beauty In Culture
I don’t have favorite students… but if I did, the student I’m about to tell you about would definitely be on the list. She is a firecracker. She is full of energy, and full of joy. I taught her in regular chem last year, and again in AP Chem this year. We both know what it takes to make our curls pop, and have always … Continue reading A War for Souls
Faithful Footsteps 